THE TAIL-RACE CHANNEL.

Kumara Times, Issue 494, 27 April 1878, Page 2

THE TAIL-RACE CHANNEL.

MINERS MEETING. A largely attended meeting for the consideration of the proposed Sludge Channel, came off on Thursday night at the Empire Hotel, Dill man Town. Mr Everett was voted to the chair, and briefly explained the objects of the meeting. He said there was every reason to believe that the Government would commence the channel at once if the miners interested would express a decided wish for its construction, and state what in their opinion would be a fair price for the use. of said channel. The Government alscr wished-, the miners to point out what they considered the best route, and the one most likely to suit the greatest number. The first resolution, proposed by Mr Peter Arthur, seconded by Mr John Perrin, and carried, was as follows“ That in the opinion of this meeting it is highly desirable that the Government undertake the construction of the flood channel at once, as private parties are not likely to push ahead the work as 1 speedily as the circumstances of the district require.” The second resolution; proposed by Mr William Morris arid seconded by Mr F. Barrowman, was “ That this riieeting recommends that the route pointed out to Mr Gow by the miners, .and , shown on. the. plan prepared by that gentleman, be the route adopted by the Government.” After some discussion, this was carried. The third resolution was proposed by Mr Thomas Wishart, seconded by Mr John May, “That seven shillings and sixpence per head ■ of water used per week be considered;a fair,price for the use of the Sludge channel.” This motion, after a" great deal of very ~ animated - * iri‘ which -Messrs Brennan, M’Dqoald,, Wishart, Barrbiyman, Arthur, and a' -number of . other niiners-took part, was carried by a large majority. A few thought that- the price .could be best reckoned by charging per man according to the number of men in-the party,, hut it was ultimately shown that one party might ..use a great deal less water than another, and consequently would use the channel leas. A number thought that five shillings per week per head, of water used would be sufficient, as from the nature of the gold iri' .the district a great "deal of it would find its way into the main channel, and thus become the property of the Government. Some exptrienced ground sluicers gave it as their . opinion that the gold itself would be sufficient to recoup the Government for their outlay. There was a strong advocacy in favor of ten shillings per head per week ly a few as a greater inducement'for the Government to start • hut as a medium course, the seven shillings and sixpence was carried. It was also proposed and carried, as a better data for the Government to start upon, that the signatures of the parties along the line of route-who were likely to sluice in to the channel be seemed. The proceedings then terminated.